The Manchester Project

Being Mancunian has always been a huge part of Monkeywood’s identity. Now they are trying to find out what that means…

Monkeywood have commissioned 19 astounding Mancunian writers to write 19 tiny but titanic new plays exploring Manchester and its people. The plays take us from Moss Side to Middleton, Flixton to Failsworth, Droylsden to Didsbury and ask, when we push the clichés aside, what does it really mean to be part of this city?

The award-winning Monkeywood Theatre brings this tapestry of Manchester and Mancunians to HOME as part of PUSH 2018. Watch out for pop up performances of individual plays before every Theatre 2 performance.

“Across 19 micro-plays crammed into a fast-moving hour, writers from the city offer snapshots of Manchester’s varied neighbourhoods… Martin Gibbons’ production is spare and simple, wisely letting the words paint the locations.” – The Guardian

★★★★ “At the end I came away with a layered set of impressions that left me entertained, moved, and pleased that I belong to this community… A pleasurable and fast 50 minutes” – Northern Soul

“Director Martin Gibbons’s simple but effective staging brings together a smorgasbord of different styles, voices and characters from around the county… While the one-off performances were great, it really works well to bring them all together like this. Gibbons has done a great job in ensuring variety of style and pace, mixing serious pieces with humour.” – British Theatre Guide

★★★★ “I loved it… This isn’t just a show about the people that have written it, it is about you and me. And that my dear reader is something to cheer in this the dullest of months… This deserves a week long residency rather than its extremely short run.” – Caught in the Act

“The Manchester Project feels like labour of love – a warm tribute to the city and those who live and work there and in the surrounding area.” – Manchester Theatre Awards

“A heartfelt and funny look at Manchester’s ever-changing landscape of footie, music, marvellous Mancs, and newcomers to the city… It speaks volumes that you want to hear more than these maverick Manc voices because each piece has a quiet intensity due to the wonderful writing and terrific turns.” – I Love Manchester

“The Manchester Project is glorious. It is a five-star theatrical TripAdvisor for Manchester. Like the honey from a bee it is a sticky, messy, sweet and golden stream that glues us together as Mancunians.” – Live Art Alive

LITTLE HULTON by Reuben JohnsonLEVENSHULME by Gareth GeorgePRESTWICH by Becky PrestwichTIMPERLEY by Andrew SheridanRUSHOLME by Victoria BrazierDROYLSDEN by Rebekah HarrisonOLD TRAFFORD by Furquan AkhtarBURNAGE by Francesca WaiteMIDDLETON by Chris HoyleDIDSBURY by Anna McDonald HughesDENTON by Samantha SiddallCHORLTON by Becky GarrodWITHINGTON by James QuinnHARPURHEY by Ian KershawCORNBROOK by Lindsay WilliamsFAILSWORTH by Cathy CrabbMOSS SIDE by Curtis ColeFLIXTON by Sarah McDonald HughesCITY CENTRE by Eve Steele

Ticket information

PUSH 2018 ticket offer

Can’t decide what to see in PUSH? Save money when you book for two or more festival events.

Book two or more theatre shows and save £2 per ticket

Book for two or more workshops, events or discussions and save £1 per ticket

All tickets must be purchased at the same time. Excludes works in progress, rehearsed readings, workshops priced at £3 and free events. Discount will automatically be added in your online basket.

Venue

Theatre 2

Theatre 2 (T2) is our black box studio theatre and events space on our first floor. The space has pull out bleacher style bench seating with a flexible capacity of up to 132. The seating can be stored to allow for a number of different layouts and set ups. The studio is accessed by a large scenic lift which allows equipment and scenery to be delivered straight into the space.

T2 has been equipped which the latest lighting, sound and video infrastructure to support theatre, music, dance, conferences and events.